CAO Points Remain Steady Despite Drop in Leaving Cert Grades

London, United Kingdom Aug 26, 2026 ALN: A fall in Leaving Certificate grades this year will not lead to a reduction in CAO points as an increased number of applicants balances out college entry requirements. This situation highlights the complexities of the Irish education system, particularly as it adapts to the shifting dynamics of student performance and demand for higher education places.

Entry points for Irish colleges are set to remain broadly the same as last year when round one CAO offers are issued at 2pm on Wednesday. This stability in points is noteworthy, especially given the context of fluctuating grades and the ongoing adjustments in the educational landscape post-Covid-19. The CAO, or Central Applications Office, plays a critical role in managing applications to higher education institutions in Ireland, and the points system is a key factor in determining which students gain entry to their desired courses.

University entry requirements have become distorted in recent years following the postmarking adjustment brought in for students whose education was disrupted by Covid-19. This adjustment was designed to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on students' academic performance, ensuring that there was no cliff-edge in marks that could unfairly disadvantage those affected by the unprecedented circumstances. As a result, grade inflation became a significant issue, with the average grades of students rising more than would typically be expected.

That grade inflation is slowly being wound down, falling from 5.8 per cent last year to 4 per cent this year. In practice, this means students who sat the Leaving Cert this year have received, on average, one less grade increase than last year’s class. This reduction in grade inflation reflects a return to more traditional grading standards, but it also presents challenges for students and institutions alike as they navigate the implications for college admissions.

This slight drop in grades could have reduced points, but counterbalancing that is an increase in overall applicants and a cohort of students from previous years with higher grades. The total number of applicants to the CAO this year stands at 95,710, marking an increase of 6,402 compared with last year. This surge in applications may be indicative of a growing recognition of the value of higher education, as well as a response to the evolving job market, which increasingly favors candidates with advanced qualifications.

Alongside this, 20,527 of this year’s CAO applicants sat their Leaving Cert in a previous year. Many of these students could have higher grades due to increased grade inflation in the years they sat their exams. This influx of returning applicants, combined with the current cohort's performance, has created a unique landscape for college admissions, where traditional expectations of grade-to-points conversion are less predictable.

These issues have counterbalanced the drop in grades and resulted in points remaining largely the same. While this will vary from course to course, a number of sources indicated that points for traditionally hard-to-access courses such as medicine and dentistry are unlikely to fall. The demand for these programs remains high, reflecting both the competitive nature of these fields and the societal need for qualified professionals in healthcare.

Data from the CAO shows a significant increase in first-preference applications for veterinary medicine (up 82 per cent), physiotherapy (up 27 per cent), and medicine (up 22 per cent). This trend underscores a growing interest in health-related professions, likely fueled by the public's heightened awareness of healthcare issues during the pandemic. In the fields of engineering and architecture, driven by the construction boom, application numbers are also up 15 and 12 per cent respectively. These increases signal a robust interest in sectors that are essential for economic recovery and infrastructure development.

Applicants awaiting offers for these courses should not expect a decrease in CAO entry point requirements in any of the above due to the high demand this year. Conversely, there is a substantial decrease in interest in information and communication technology (ICT) programmes this year, with applications down 9 per cent compared with last year. Other disciplines seeing smaller declines include agriculture and primary school teaching, which may reflect changing job market conditions and student perceptions of career viability.

Sources indicated that CAO points requirements would fall for ICT programmes, with a smaller decrease for agriculture and primary teaching. This shift may encourage institutions to reevaluate their offerings and marketing strategies to attract more students into these critical areas of study.

In an effort to meet the growing demand for spaces on medical science programmes, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless recently allocated increased funding for hundreds of additional places in medical and paramedical programmes. This government initiative aims to address the pressing need for more healthcare professionals in Ireland, particularly in light of the challenges posed by an aging population and the increasing burden of chronic diseases.

However, many universities approved for this funding are struggling to turn this funding into offers to CAO applicants due to the acute shortage of placements, which must accompany each offer. The lack of available clinical placements is a significant barrier to expanding program capacity, highlighting the complexities of scaling educational offerings in response to demand.

Maynooth University, despite these challenges, has doubled the number of places in nursing and expanded places in biomedical science, psychology, sport science, and nutrition. This proactive approach reflects the institution's commitment to addressing workforce needs while also enhancing its educational offerings.

Places in veterinary medicine are also due to increase this year by about 80, but this will be outstripped by the significant increase in first-choice applications. This situation illustrates the competitive nature of these programs and the ongoing challenge of aligning supply with demand in higher education.

Applicants can view their offers online at 2pm on Wednesday. This pivotal moment in the academic calendar marks a significant milestone for students, shaping their educational and professional futures.

In advance of the results, An Garda Síochána yesterday advised students seeking third-level accommodation to watch out for scams. The force said the August to October period was the "peak season" for such scams, with "notable spikes" recorded during these months in the last two years. As students navigate the housing market, awareness of potential scams is crucial to ensure their safety and financial security.

The Garda said it had received 230 reports of accommodation scams, involving losses to victims of €400,000, in the first seven months of this year. These alarming statistics highlight the need for vigilance and education around securing safe housing options as students transition to college life.